Disputant storytelling in divorce mediation

Abstract:

This paper investigates the nature of disputants'
stories within the context of divorce mediation. Tapes
and transcripts of actual mediation sessions from three
different sources are scrutinized, utilizing a modified
form of conversation analysis known as ethnography of
speaking. Several themes emerge from this analysis of
disputants' stories: the functions of stories,
recurring types of stories, mediator responses to
disputant's stories, and the significance of
storytelling order. The data show several functions
for disputant's stories: venting, controlling, bringing
in outside interests, and speaking on behalf of the
children. Types of disputant's stories identified
include conjoint, matter-of-fact, and emotion-laden
stories. Mediator responses to disputants' stories
can take the form of soliciting a story, suppressing a
story, or refereeing between stories. Analysis of the
data reveals that disputant's stories serve two
essential purposes: information exchange, and emotional
release. Findings indicate that storytelling order is
not as significant as shown in previous research, and
that disputants' stories often overlook the needs and
interests of the children.